Academic question bank

Example interview questions

These are the types of questions and issues often raised at an academic interview.

We compiled this list by speaking to a number of staff about their experiences of the recruitment process. They were all recently appointed to lecturing and research posts and are from a range of institutions and discipline areas.

General questions

Why do you want the job?

What skills can you offer us?

What are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to teamwork?

How have your communication skills developed in the past year?

What can this University offer you?

Why do you want to work at this institution?

What training do you think you will need?

Do you think it will be difficult coming back to a Faculty where you were recently a student?

What qualifies you to run a unit?

Do you mind travelling abroad to attend short courses?

Do you mind doing weekend work?

Will you be ready for a full teaching load in September?

Course related questions

What are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to your subject matter?

Which course would you not want to teach on and why?

Would you make any changes to the current undergraduate programme?

How would you change the teaching of X?

How would you market X course to an overseas institution?

Where do you see the potential for new course development?

What would you like to teach?

What topics would you like to see covered in the new Masters Programme in X?

Teaching and pastoral care questions

What are you able to offer this University in the way of teaching?

What innovative teaching methodologies have you used?

What teaching skills have you developed over the past year?

Have you developed new teaching techniques during the past year?

What are the differences between teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students?

What are your views about student assessment?

Do you see any room for change in the way we teach large groups of students in lectures?

You usually teach in small groups of 20 but the intake this year has been increased to 80. What would you do differently?

What strategy might you use to assess a large number of students?

What strategy might you use to run a Unit of large number?

How do you teach students who are reluctant to learn?

What do you understand by quality control of courses and taught material? How do you achieve it?

During your time at X, how did you manage the pressures of teaching and research?

How do teaching and research complement each other?

How do you see advances in technology impacting on the role of the lecturer?

Large numbers of first year students are dropping out of courses in the Department. What would you do about it?

Dr Sam Cartwright-Hatton talks about her interview for an Medical Research Council fellowship.

Research questions

What are your research interests?

Tell us about the research methods you have used.

What problems did you experience with using this methodology/approach?

Where do you see your research fitting in with the interests/priorities of the Department?

What ideas do you have for further research and what are the potential sources of funding?

Would you want to do mostly teaching or balance teaching with research?